The Australian Magpie is a bird that is found all over Australia and the South of Papa New Guinea, Magpies are found almost all over the world though. The Australian Magpie is third largest magpie in the world but has the largest beak. The most differentiated characteristic between the magpies is the colour red that is mixed into their patterns. The differences between the Magpies are founding different places. The Australian Magpie is known for its tall chest puffed stature and its pure white beak with the small black tip.
The large amount of insects and larvae that is found in Australia was used as a great opportunity for many animals but the Australian magpie as mastered all the birds by adapting to the rough terrain and breaking loose from the typical slow waddle or hop that most birds have and has changed to us a much faster and efficient walk.
The Australian magpie was found originally only in Australia and the south of Papa New Guinea. The heat of the summers is very hot in these areas which is why they Australian magpie has such a thin layer of feathers, making it easier to stay cool. The winters can become very cold though, so during the with they tend to fly north to South Papa New Guinea and to the northern areas of Australia.
Australia is known for its large population of possums. Although possums do not eat magpies they do eat their eggs, the Australian magpie has successfully been able to accommodate for that by becoming very aggressive towards intruders, the most famous of the defense being eye gouging.
All over Australia huge amounts of insects and there larvae can be found all over the ground, whether its in grass or the sandy deserts of central Australia. Magpies, along with many other birds have used this opportunity to easily get a steady diet, although no other Australian bird has mastered this quite like the Australian magpie, its long and muscular legs, teamed with its thickly padded feet allow it to hunt on ground successfully.
Structural Adaptations
- Long strong legs, enable the Australian magpie to walk apposed to waddling or hopping which makes its ground movement faster and much more effective. This feature is important because the Magpie spends the majority of its time on the ground hunting and scavenging for food.
- Its 21 tail feathers are used very specifically to increase flight speed and to increase turning in the air. These 21 feathers are divided into two groups one being the ten primary feathers and the other eleven being secondary flight feathers, balance strengtheners and used as protection against wind and rain which keeps body warmth in winter.
Behavioral Adaptations
- The Australian magpie ventures along the ground to catch and eat insects and there larvae. The reason for this is that there eye site is very weak compared to other birds and that along with its small wingspan lower its chances of being able to seek and catch food from an aerial position. Although observations of the magpies feet, especial its back talon show very strong similarities to an owls, and an eagles which is why many believe that in the past it must have caught larger animals with its feet, like an eagle or an owl, and have then adapted to become a very strong walking bird to accommodate for its habitat.
- The magpie is a very nonaggressive bird, but is often thought of as being a very aggressive bird. The reason for this is that in mating season they become very aggressive towards possible dangers to there nests. This is to protect its offspring and allows them stronger possibility of life. The bird has learnt how to protect its nest differently for different animals of different sizes sufficiently. As many know, a very common attack on humans is the use of its long and powerful beak to peck the eyes, this is very effective. But towards other birds they attempt to damage its wing by biting the feathers.
magpie_nest1_big.jpg
Physiological
- The Australian magpie has a thick pad that surrounds the base of there feet to provide protection. The pad is similar to skin except it has a 3mm thickness, and is extremely tough and durable compared to human skin. The bird uses this because of its very dominant hunting style that consumes the majority of there time. The pads allow them to hunt on ground for great lengths of time, and if damaged the bird can still hunt. The large bush land and different dangers on the ground in Australia make it almost compulsory to have pads like this, the pads act similar to shoes allowing magpies to hunt.
The Australian Magpie
Extinct Fossil Huia
Future Australian Magpie
The Modern Australian Magpie
The Australian Magpie is a bird that is found all over Australia and the South of Papa New Guinea, Magpies are found almost all over the world though. The Australian Magpie is third largest magpie in the world but has the largest beak. The most differentiated characteristic between the magpies is the colour red that is mixed into their patterns. The differences between the Magpies are founding different places. The Australian Magpie is known for its tall chest puffed stature and its pure white beak with the small black tip.
The large amount of insects and larvae that is found in Australia was used as a great opportunity for many animals but the Australian magpie as mastered all the birds by adapting to the rough terrain and breaking loose from the typical slow waddle or hop that most birds have and has changed to us a much faster and efficient walk.
(Latham, 1802)
Habitat
The Australian magpie was found originally only in Australia and the south of Papa New Guinea. The heat of the summers is very hot in these areas which is why they Australian magpie has such a thin layer of feathers, making it easier to stay cool. The winters can become very cold though, so during the with they tend to fly north to South Papa New Guinea and to the northern areas of Australia.
Australia is known for its large population of possums. Although possums do not eat magpies they do eat their eggs, the Australian magpie has successfully been able to accommodate for that by becoming very aggressive towards intruders, the most famous of the defense being eye gouging.
All over Australia huge amounts of insects and there larvae can be found all over the ground, whether its in grass or the sandy deserts of central Australia. Magpies, along with many other birds have used this opportunity to easily get a steady diet, although no other Australian bird has mastered this quite like the Australian magpie, its long and muscular legs, teamed with its thickly padded feet allow it to hunt on ground successfully.
Structural Adaptations
- Long strong legs, enable the Australian magpie to walk apposed to waddling or hopping which makes its ground movement faster and much more effective. This feature is important because the Magpie spends the majority of its time on the ground hunting and scavenging for food.
- Its 21 tail feathers are used very specifically to increase flight speed and to increase turning in the air. These 21 feathers are divided into two groups one being the ten primary feathers and the other eleven being secondary flight feathers, balance strengtheners and used as protection against wind and rain which keeps body warmth in winter.
Behavioral Adaptations
- The Australian magpie ventures along the ground to catch and eat insects and there larvae. The reason for this is that there eye site is very weak compared to other birds and that along with its small wingspan lower its chances of being able to seek and catch food from an aerial position. Although observations of the magpies feet, especial its back talon show very strong similarities to an owls, and an eagles which is why many believe that in the past it must have caught larger animals with its feet, like an eagle or an owl, and have then adapted to become a very strong walking bird to accommodate for its habitat.
- The magpie is a very nonaggressive bird, but is often thought of as being a very aggressive bird. The reason for this is that in mating season they become very aggressive towards possible dangers to there nests. This is to protect its offspring and allows them stronger possibility of life. The bird has learnt how to protect its nest differently for different animals of different sizes sufficiently. As many know, a very common attack on humans is the use of its long and powerful beak to peck the eyes, this is very effective. But towards other birds they attempt to damage its wing by biting the feathers.
Physiological
- The Australian magpie has a thick pad that surrounds the base of there feet to provide protection. The pad is similar to skin except it has a 3mm thickness, and is extremely tough and durable compared to human skin. The bird uses this because of its very dominant hunting style that consumes the majority of there time. The pads allow them to hunt on ground for great lengths of time, and if damaged the bird can still hunt. The large bush land and different dangers on the ground in Australia make it almost compulsory to have pads like this, the pads act similar to shoes allowing magpies to hunt.
Jonathan's Bibliography